Ground broken on Lashkargah cricket ground

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The foundation stone of a modern cricket ground has been laid in the capital of southern Helmand province, where a 180-bed rehabilitation center for drug addicts put into service.

Afghanistan Cricket Board director Shukrullah Atif Mashal on Friday told Pajhwok Afghan News that the cricket ground would take two years to complet in Safyan area of Lashkargah at a cost of $650,000 being provided by the Ministry of Counternarcotics.
He said other facilities like a cricket academy and others would also be established by the cricket board.

Mashal said the people of Helmand loved cricket and some would be able to make it to the national team with their talent.

Speaking on the occasion, Counternarcotics Minister Salamat Azimi said the environment and terrain of Helmand suited cricket game and her ministry had consulted the cricket board on the cricket ground’s establishment in the province.

She said her ministry would jointly monitor sports projects with the ACB and would prevent all kinds of corruption.

Azimi also inaugurated a 180-bed rehabilitation centre for drug addicts in Lashkargah, saying the center had all needed facilities.

She said homes and hostels for doctors had been established at the rehabilitation center besides vocation training and other facilities for the addicts.

Azimi said the rehabilitation center cost 4.5million provided by her ministry.